Communiqué of the General House of the Society of St. Pius X - SSPX to send statement to the Holy See [Updated]

The General Chapter of the Society of Saint Pius X ended this Saturday, July 14, 2012, in Econe (Switzerland). Gathered near Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre’s tomb, the capitularies have given thanks to God for the profound unity that prevailed among them during all these workdays.

The General Chapter will soon make a common statement to Rome, which will then be made public.

The General Superior, Bishop Fellay, thanks deeply all the priests and faithfuls for their fervent prayers during this chapter.

My guess is that the Society will make Rome an offer - something along the lines of "we will accept the canonical agreement, and we will sign the Preamble we originally agreed to - and then put the ball in Rome's court.

Great the Chapter went well but the outcome of it is yet to be seen. Echoing Francis' sentiments, I don't think there will be a Reunion soon unless there is a call for black-and-white assurities from Rome. For all we know, the Chapter probably came to the conclusion to tell Rome, "Nah, forget it!"

"... the capitularies have given thanks to God for the profound unity that prevailed among them during all these workdays." And then..."The General Superior, Bishop Fellay, thanks deeply all the priests and faithfuls for their fervent prayers during this chapter."Coupled with the fact of the unity of the attendees to exclude Williamson, it would seem like the more "moderate" spirit/ideas of +Fellay prevailed. I'm taking this to be a very positive sign, and I look forward to the forthcoming statement.

We will see what the considered opinion of the Society towards Rome is after the Chapter meeting.My own gut feeling is that the time is not yet ripe. The Institute of the Good Sheppard thought they had obtained an ironclad agreement. That is gone overboard since the little visitation from Rome. The Sons of the Holy Redeemer thought they would be welcomed by Rome. We know the disappointment they live with.Tradition is NOT accepted nor valued by Rome, regardless of a few pious statements by some officials. It is either accepting all the Modernist innovations, or nothing. There is NO WAY the Society will commit suicide. Unless the Holy Father really steps up to the plate I see no chance until, hopefully, a few decades from now. Lord have mercy.

Another bad sign is that there was no leak. If any steps in the direction of reconciliation had been made, the "rebels" would have most probably leaked the information about it, as they did with Mons. Williamson's case.

I see no chance until, hopefully, a few decades from now. Lord have mercy.

The fact that there are groups like the Institute of Good Shephard, FSSP, Holy Redeemer, several Benedictine monasteries, Fraternity of St. Vincent Ferrar among others is despite the various concerns still a positive thing don't you think? The Church was infected with Modernism for many years despite the best efforts of Pope St. Pius X to extinguish it. Nevertheless I don't recall any groups setting out on there own waiting for things to get better. Before, during and after Vatican II there were strong voices from both conservative and progressive sides. The progressive forces carried the day, why, because God willed it that way. But the voices of orthodoxy did not go silent and many continued the fight. The SSPX thinks that they can best fight outside the visible union with the Church. I think they are gravely mistaken. So long as they remain "outside" they and the rest of us tradition minded Catholics are marginalized.

If things are not settled soon with the SSPX returning to full communion with Rome then I fear the worst. Pope Benedict is not going to let this issue drag on indefinitely despite the fact it may seem to ping pong right now. It seems that he has given them the opportunity to return and sort out doctrinal differences later. But if they choose not to by declaring irreconcilable differences over doctrinal issues then I believe he will impose some canonical punishment against them.

I think this is good news. Making a clear, thoughtful public statement will push the issue. If something is wrong with SSPX's position or (more likely) if nothing is wrong with it, it will be available for everyone (especially the priests, faithful, benefactors and friends of the Society) to know where it stands.

The words of the Archangel seem to apply in this case: "It is good to guard the secret of a king, but glorious to reveal the works of God" (Tobit 12:11).